Industrial relations masterclass | Events and training | Legal training courses and events | Eversheds Sutherland
Industrial relations masterclass
This industrial relations masterclass training course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental industrial relations concepts and to equip you with the ability to understand the key Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA) changes.
Join us for this full-day, in-person industrial relations masterclass designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental industrial relations concepts and to equip you with the ability to understand the key Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA”) changes. This masterclass will include case studies, trainer-led discussions and interactive sessions to support delegate learning and provide practical insights.
The industrial relations changes in the ERA will mean that all organisations will need to have an understanding of trade union rights within the workplace, whether or not you have an existing trade union presence within your organisation. This course will equip you with the ability to understand the changes proposed by the ERA and the impact this will have on your workplace moving forward.
Agenda
9.30 (GMT)
Welcome and introductions
The current industrial relations environment
an overview of key Employment Rights Act (ERA) changes to industrial relations and the Government’s legislative priorities
who are the key industrial relations organisations (Acas, Central Arbitration Committee, Certification Officer and more)?
trade unions: their aims, challenges and current trends
hot employee/industrial relations topics and recent developments
Duty to inform and trade union access
complying with the requirement to inform workers of their right to join, or not join, a trade union
responding to a trade union access request
an overview of the statutory process and tips for managing requests
considering thorny issues and practical insights
11.00
Comfort break
Trade unions: recognition, individual and collective labor rights
collective bargaining: definition, negotiating rights and collective agreements
responding to a request for trade union recognition, navigating the statutory recognition process and the role of the Central Arbitration Committee, including the ERA changes
time-off rights (for duties, activities, training and more)
collective rights (TUPE, redundancies - in summary)
how will the ERA changes impact individual and collective labor rights?
12.30
Lunch
Practical session - focus on negotiations
A focus on effective negotiations and trade unions (aimed at delegates who have existing recognition in place, or anticipate new collective relationships)
in brief - what the law says about providing information and imposing changes to terms/conditions
preparing for a union pay/conditions claim
considering that claim and how to respond
negotiation technique and communications strategy
planning for the union to trigger the dispute procedure
14.45
Comfort break
Industrial action and disputes – an introduction
the basic legal principles
ballot and notice requirements
picketing and secondary action
detriment for taking part in industrial action
employer responses – including key case law
other forms of protest
how will the ERA changes impact industrial action?
Closing reflections
16.30 (GMT)
Close
Who should attend
This masterclass course is targeted at all HR professionals including officers, directors, and VPs of HR, ER specialists, business continuity professionals and in-house lawyers.